Summary: The ability of Chelidonium majus L. alkaloids
derivative Ukrain to induce an anaphylactic sensitization was tested on mice
and guinea pigs. The levels of IgE antibody in the mouse sera, and IgG1a,
IgG1b as well as IgE antibody levels in guinea pig sera, were evaluated
by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) tests. Ukrain alone or adsorbed on aluminium
hydroxide gel (alum) introduced into BALB/c mice in several subcutaneous injections
was unable to stimulate measurable anti-Ukrain IgE antibody response. Moreover,
Ukrain introduced together with ovalbumin (OA) into mice in the course of immunization
with OA induced lower anti-OA antibody response as compared to the response
induced by OA alone. Ukrain adsorbed on alum and injected subcutaneously into
guinea pigs did not induce measurable IgG1a, IgG1b and
IgE antibody response. The present results suggest that the immunomodulating
preparation Ukrain could be therapeutically safe at least as far as its inability
to induce anaphylaxis is concerned.